Law Building at Georgia State University Obtains LEED Certification

Upon completion of the $62.8 million Georgia State University College of Law Building, a LEED Silver certification will be awarded to the new building.

Aug 15, 2014

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. reached a construction milestone with the topping out the new building for Georgia State University College of Law. Donors celebrated at a ceremony held on June 25. The LEED Silver Certified facility is being built on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, one block east of Peachtree Street.

The 200,000 square foot Georgia State Law building is the university’s first dedicated legal education facility, housed on a 2.42-acre site located on the downtown campus. This is the first phase of a multi-building university complex. The $62.8 million facility includes a conference center, a 230-seat ceremonial courtroom, areas for clinical practice and community outreach and an International Arbitration Center. The Law Library will occupy the top two floors and offer flexible learning space for individuals, groups, classes and guests, as well as a formal reading room, a café and outdoor terraces.

“The new building provides a unique opportunity to become an intellectual and professional hub that encourages interaction and synergy,” said Steven J. Kaminshine, College of Law dean and professor of law. “Through the new conference center, our clinical center and the 230-seat ceremonial courtroom, we will open channels among students, alumni, the university community, members of the bench and bar, legislators and policymakers, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to service and advocacy.

“We’re honored to be part of the team that is making GSU’s long-held dream of a new building for the law school a reality,” said Kevin Kuntz, McCarthy’s Southeast Division president. “Georgia State’s new College of Law is a great facility that will further Atlanta’s academic advancement, and will do so in a manner that feeds into the area’s transformation in a sustainable manner.”

The Georgia State Law building features numerous sustainable elements, including a green roof complete with vegetation and trees to improve air quality and provide a unique downtown aesthetic. Energy efficiency comes through the use of magnetic drive chillers within the climate control system, which reduce heat and friction during operation. A variable refrigerant flow cooling system allows efficient multizone temperature control while eliminating air and water as heat transfer mediums. Inside finishes include high-end wood paneling on walls and ceilings and terrazzo flooring. Outside, zinc metal panels and coping will connect windows for an ultra-modern aesthetic.

The ceremony itself featured festivities for crews such as a catered lunch and prize raffles. Remarks were shared by Associate Dean Roy M. Sobelson, McCarthy Project Manager Justis Brogan and Stevens & Wilkinson Principal Ron Stang. Also on hand were representatives from SmithGroup JJR and Stevens & Wilkinson architectural firms which designed the building with Georgia State University’s facilities management department.